M02 Discussion: Federalism and Marijuana
With the 2018 midterm elections now in the books, Michigan became the first mid-western State to legalize
... [Show More] recreational marijuana and medical marijuana scored victories in Utah and Missouri. After the 2016 elections, four States--California, Nevada, Massachusetts and Maine--joined Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska in legalizing the use of recreational marijuana. In total, over 60% of the states have legalized the use of marijuana in some form--recreational and/or medicinal use.
Recreational weed is now legal in 10 states and medical marijuana is legal in 33 states. On the other hand, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 prohibits the cultivation, sale, and use of marijuana. Federal and State laws are at odds with each other.
We're inching closer and closer to federal action, but which direction will it go?
Read the following articles (and find your own, more current article too!) about the conflict between the state's efforts to legalize marijuana and the reality of a federal law that prohibits the use of marijuana:
• Medical Marijuana and Federal Law (Links to an external site.)
• 2016 Election Tipping Point for Marijuana Legalization (Links to an external site.)
• Weed Wins on Election Day. So What Comes Next? (Links to an external site.) (https://www.wired.com/story/weed-wins-on-election-day-so-what-comes-next/ (Links to an external site.))
Discuss the following questions:
• Based on your interpretation of Constitutional powers, which government--state or federal--has the authority to create laws concerning marijuana usage?
• When state laws are in conflict with federal laws, which should take precedence?
• After reading these articles, what do you think the Federal government should do concerning state laws that are in direct conflict with the Controlled Substances Act?
• While most of the recent conflict is between States and the federal executive branch, what role should Congress play? Should the federal legislative branch modify the law with respect to the Controlled Substances Act?
• Did you do the Power Play (Links to an external site.), iCivics Game?
In Power Play, you coach a team of players competing to win power for state or federal government! Did you find any of the arguments in the game persuading you toward one side or the other? (This simulation is optional, but it may give you some ideas regarding application of concepts from your other readings such as The "Federal" in Federalism) [Show Less]